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The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Ranger:

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

5,185 miles

Purchased a new 2002 Ford Ranger 4X4 4dr xcab with the 4.0 engine. Vehicle identification # [xxx], on September 14, 2002. After coming to stop, engine has surged. First time RPM went to 1500 and could keep the truck in place with brake pressure. Took to dealer for 3000 service in December and reported problem. Dealer performed normal 3000 service and found no problems, however they asked to be informed if it happens again. This time engine surged to over 3000 RPM and could not keep truck stopped pushing into another truck in front of me. We hit bumpers and the only way to stop my truck was to slam the transmission into park. Are there any other reported problems of engine surge like this. Using regular gasoline in the tank. Taking truck back to dealer for inspection. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

Automatic transmission

9,000 miles

2002 Ranger are apparently equipped with a speed control chip that limits top end speed and RPM's. I was not informed that my vehicle was going to be crippled by this device or I would not have purchased it. When driving in the western us, this limiter has almost caused me to be in an accident 4 times. Ford should be compelled to tell buyers that this vehicle has a speed limiter before the sale is closed.

Ranger

Ranger

miles

My husband and I were driving on the interstate. My husband attempted to overtake a slow moving vehicle. He had to accelerate between 80 and 85 to overtake in fast moving traffic. Our vehicle acted like it was starved of fuel and was not responding. This put us in a very dangerous situation as there was other traffic on the road. We contacted our local Ford dealership. They test drove the vehicle and stated that they could not find a defect. We expressed our concern that the sudden loss of power puts us in an unsafe overtaking situation. We were invited to take a test drive with a technician. We expressed our concern for the safety of the tecnician and ourselves during a test drive a high speeds. The dealership and Ford manufacturing stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Finally having faxed our concerns to the dealership ON10/14/02, we were offered another test drive with a service technician on 10/15/02. During the test drive at speeds not exceeding 65 miles per hour, the technician explained that the vehicle has a "rev limiter" which is governor which stops all acceleration at 85 mph. We feel that this inability to go above 85 miles per hour places in a very vulnerable position. The truck will not be able to respond in an emergency or avoidance situation. This places everyones lives at risk. It seems that Ford Motor Company is the only one who has decided how fast their trucks should go and have not taken into consideration the danger that they a placing us in. With regard to the air conditioning unit, we have experienced the following: The unit cycles on and off approx. Every 12 seconds. This causes the truck to surge each time the unit comes on as there is a loss of power to the engine. The unit also makes a loud clicking sound as it comes on. The constant surging of the engine makes for a very uncomfortable ride. The Ford delearship and Ford Motor Company do not consider this a problem.

Ranger

Automatic transmission

miles

The consumer states that vehicle rocks while driving. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer, and the dealer suggested that the spark plugs needed replacing. The consumer sates that the vehicle goes at a rate of 2500+3000 RPM 202 Ranger, shakes in the net or park. The engine cuts out and jerks at high speeds, also when passing vehicles or trucks on the freeways-cuts out, its very unsafe, and the brakes pulsate/shake when applied at highway speeds. (6000 RPM, plus the speedometer shows 120 mph) certified mechanic(s) have stated that there's something wrong with the vehicle.

Ranger

Automatic transmission

miles

Consumer states that vehicle will turn off by itself, also while driving on the highway it will slow down. Nlmthere is a governor on the engine that cuts in and slows the vehicle. Consumer states that if there was any known possibility of a governor being on this vehicle, he would not have purchased.

Ranger

miles

The vehicles engine idles roughly which causes the vehicle to shake. I noticed this problem instantly after picking up the vehicle from the dealership. I had taken it in to dean sellers Ford in troy Michigan with 500 miles on it and I was told that it was a new engine for the Ranger, and it was suppose to drive like that. However, after continuing to drive the vehicle and experiencing stall outs I believe there is something wrong with my engine. I started up other Ranger at other dealerships and yes, when first started the idling is rough but then kicks down to a normal running idle. I have had a service tech. Agree with me that the idling seems to be rough on my vehicle but nothing has been found to correct the issue. Nor has anything been found on the stall outs. I have also experienced "jolting" or "surges" of power while driving. Attempting to speed up 5 or 10 mph produces a jolt forward as though you have gunned the engine, at times it feels as though the vehicle is speeding up on it's own. I truly believe Ford is manufacturing faulty engines with this particular vehicle and I am completely 100% unsatisfied with my purchase of this vehicle. I have owned a 1995 Ranger and had never experienced a problem with that year line. Someone of authority needs to investigate this vehicle and consumers should be compensated for the many issues Ford has with Ranger engines. Your assistance and power is much appreciated.

Ranger

miles

Vehicle has stalled out while driving on three (3) occasions and was prevented from stalling on one other. First occurrence was on 06/14/02 with approximately 2800 miles, vehicle was traveling approx. 15-20 miles an hour and turning into a parking lot. Second failure was on 07/09/02 with approx. 3650 miles, vehicle again was making a turn at approx. 15 mph. This failure occurred the evening of picking up the vehicle from jerome duncan Ford for service. However, jerome duncan refused to itemize this problem on their repair list because the vehicle was currently running and did not stall out in their possession. Third failure occured 08/11/02 with approx. 5700 miles, vehicle was traveling at approx. 25-30 mph attempting to turn or curve to the left. Each time this "stall out" has occurred the engine has been warm and the gas tank had 1/4 or more of gas in it. I prevented the fourth occurrence from happening when stopped at a traffic light and giving the engine some gas while keeping one foot on the brake. I have taken this vehicle in for servicing for this problem 3 times, however, 2 of the times jerome duncan Ford has refused to document it, saying the vehicle is running and appears to be in working order. Only once has this vehicle been documented with a Ford dealer for issues, russ milne Ford 24777 hall rd. Macomb mi 48042 (810) 948-7700. The technicians there have not been able to determine the cause for the stall outs. I will once again take my vehicle in and have this problem documented to ensure my case under the Michigan lemon law. Because the vehicle "stalls out" all power is lost, enabling me to steer properly and possibly endangering myself and others. On the second occurrence I narrowly missed a head on collision. I would like this matter investigated and would appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

Ranger

Automatic transmission

miles

I get 14 miles to the gal on the freeway the sticker said 19. The engine shakes at idle. It has a lean idle miss. The shaking is very bad at times. Transmission does not shift right, causing bad gas mileage. I have taken it to three different dealers they all say there is no problem. But 14 miles to the gal is not acceptable.

Ranger

miles

Ford is knowingly selling a defective engine in their Ford Ranger. My factory ordered truck has what could be described as a severe, constant "rough idle". I have had it back to the dealer a number of times (the first time was 2 days after I purchased it). Ford has sent their district engineer to look at this issue. He performed a "G-force" test which registered 0.6. Ford service agrees that it has this issue. Ford's stance is that all 2002 Ranger have this issue (nuisance is the word they used) and they are not going to do anything to "fix" it. The engineer told me that Ford implemented "softer" motor mounts to try and allieviate this issue which my truck already had. So Ford is very aware of this issue. The model I test drove did not exhibit this issue. Ford's stance is that it is my fault for buying this vehicle. In other words, if I wanted a smoother idling engine, I should have purchased a different manufactuer's vehicle. This may not be the proper forum for this type of issue, but I wanted to make the government aware of what Ford is trying to put over on the consumer. As far as Ford's contention that "they all do this" I would have to disagree. I have been to all the "Ranger" forums and user sites and no one is reporting this issue on their 2002 Ranger. Please help if you can.